Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu commented this evening (Tuesday) on the IDF's activity in Rafah over the last day.
"Last night, with the approval of the War Cabinet, I ordered action in Rafah. Within hours, our forces raised the Israeli flags at the Rafah crossing and took down the Hamas flags," Netanyahu said. "The entry into Rafah serves two main war goals: the return of our hostages and the elimination of Hamas."
Netanyahu added: "We have already proven with the previous release of hostages - military pressure on Hamas is a necessary condition for the return of our hostages. Yesterday's proposal by Hamas was intended to sabotage the entry of our forces into Rafah. This did not happen."
"As the War Cabinet unanimously determined, the Hamas proposal is very far from Israel's vital demands. Israel will not allow Hamas to restore its evil rule in the Strip. Israel will not allow it to restore its military capabilities to continue working for our destruction. Israel cannot accept a proposal that endangers the security of our citizens and the future of our country," he said.
"I instructed the negotiators who went to Cairo, continue to stand firm on the conditions necessary for the release of our hostages, continue to stand firm on the essential requirements for guaranteeing Israel's security," he continued.
At the same time, Netanyahu said, "We are continuing the war against Hamas. The seizure of the Rafah Crossing today is a very important step; an important step on the way to destroying the remaining military capabilities of Hamas, including the elimination of the four terrorist battalions in Rafah; and an important step to damage the governmental capabilities of Hamas, because as of this morning we deprived Hamas of A crossing that was essential to establishing its reign of terror in the Strip."
"I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the last few days. I salute our heroic soldiers for the perfect execution of their mission, for their fighting spirit and heroism, for everything they have done - and for everything they will do in the future. I send them a warm hug in the name of all the citizens of Israel. Together we will fight, and with God's help - together we will win," Netanyahu concluded.